Studying is something that every person in school seems to dread. Whether it's studying for math or English, it can be a challenge. Gathering the motivation and figuring out the right method for you is difficult to navigate. Many people didn’t study in high school and once they get to college they are lost on what to do. As someone who studies anxiously almost every day, I’ve tried a lot of study methods. Here are some of the ones that helped me the most:
Quizlet
It's safe to say many people have a love-hate relationship with Quizlet. More recently, feelings of hate have become prominent due to its new subscription service that puts all the valuable tools behind a monthly paywall. I’ve tried so many Quizlet alternatives and none helped me the way Quizlet did, so last semester I caved and bought a year-long subscription to the service. Although it can be a bit of an investment, I’d recommend buying the subscription or finding a friend who did and is willing to share. Quizlet flashcards and learning features have helped me a lot, especially with memorizing specific terms.
Create your own study guide (if one isn’t provided for you)
I’ve used this method in almost every class. I look at the notes that I took during the class and turn them into a digestible study guide that I can easily look over. By doing this you become more familiar with the content while also creating a helpful resource.
Figuring out what to pull from your notes to your study guide can be a bit of a challenge, but I try to cover everything at least a little bit. Oftentimes professors provide sneak peeks into future exams, so paying attention to those cues can also help with this.
Blurt Method
This is one of my favorite methods of studying and pairs well with creating your own study guide. The blurt method is when you look over a piece of reading, a study guide or notes and then write down everything you remember on a separate piece of paper. You then can look back and see what you got right, wrong or missed completely. This method is great for being able to discern your weak points of the material as well as your high points. I use this method for every class and it helps craft a deeper understanding of the material that actually sticks.
Study comfortably and not all at once
This was the most difficult method for me to get used to. It is vital for your success to study somewhere you feel safe and comfortable. Whether that is Alden Library, Baker Center or Donkey Coffee, studying somewhere you feel productive and motivated is essential. Creating the right environment and headspace for studying is always the hardest part.
This next part is challenging, especially for those who want to get everything done in one sitting. Spacing out your studying over the course of days or weeks is important. When you sit down and try to study material the day before the exam, you’re not doing yourself any favors. Be organized and aware of when your exams are. Then use the week or days leading up to it to study for an hour or so every day. You retain information so much better when you don't pressure yourself into memorizing it all the night before. This method also creates a lot less stress in the long run.
Studying doesn't have to be something you dread doing. Make it fun and romanticize it. Get that coffee and those slightly too-expensive glitter gel pens. If it makes the process easier and better for you, go for it. Studying is a part of the college experience that everyone has to go through. So, make the most out of it and don't stress it too much– you got this!
Haylee Leasure is a sophomore studying journalism. Please note that the opinions expressed in this column do not reflect those of The Post. Want to talk about the column? Email Haylee at hl125421@ohio.edu.
